Franklin Carmichael 1890 - 1945

Private Collection

Watercolour was a medium that was seldom used by members of the Group of Seven, with a couple of major exceptions. Lismer, Varley, and MacDonald knew firsthand the English watercolour tradition and used the medium occasionally, and especially at the beginning of their careers. Jackson and Harris practically never turned their hand to it. Johnston was a master of the medium but could sell oil or gouache paintings for more and therefore painted chiefly in those mediums. The undisputed master of the medium was Carmichael, who tutored his younger colleague A. J. Casson in the mysteries and challenges of this most difficult of mediums.

Carmichael rarely painted less than a superb watercolour, and this one shows not only his exceptional technique but his masterful control of the composition as a whole. The balance, variables in colour, and the clarity of perspective, all combine to make this an outstanding work.